Appliances News

Sept. 6, 2016—Department of Energy (DOE) finally proposed a new minimum-efficiency standard for gas furnaces, its first since 1992, and our prediction about the shape of the standard proved to be on the mark.

Electronics News

Oct. 28, 2016—A touch screen finally came to Apple’s computing line, but it wasn’t in a way that consumers would expect. Apple announced the first updates to its MacBook Pro line of notebook computers in at least 2 years, and the biggest development was the addition of a touch screen … on the keyboard.

Home News

Sept. 6, 2016—Department of Energy (DOE) finally proposed a new minimum-efficiency standard for gas furnaces, its first since 1992, and our prediction about the shape of the standard proved to be on the mark.

Health News

Nov. 10, 2016—Change will come to how some consumers buy health insurance—the recent presidential election all but guarantees it—but two experts tell Consumers Digest that any changes likely won’t take effect in 2017. In other words, consumers who are eligible to buy insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace should act as though nothing has changed.

Travel & Recreation News

Nov. 17, 2016—Further evidence that no matter how bad that it gets when it comes to air travel, it always could get worse comes to us through United Airlines’ announcement of a reduced-fare class that comes with restrictions attached—the biggest being a limit on the size of carry-on luggage.

Lawn & Garden News

Feb. 27, 2015—The company says its EXi Series lawnmower engine has improved air cleaner seals and operates at cooler temperatures than previous engines do. As a result, it never has to have its oil changed as long as consumers add oil as necessary.

Oct. 27, 2014—Toro says the TimeCutter SW Series will be available in January 2015 and the price range will be $2,999–$4,500. The ZTRs are Toro’s first that use a steering wheel rather than handlebars to turn on a dime.

Money News

Aug. 4, 2016—The outbreak of diseases can be worrisome. Unfortunately, scammers always are at the ready to provide bogus solutions that do nothing but defraud consumers. Their latest target: Zika fears.

Dec. 1, 2016—Imusa recalled certain models of its espresso makers, because the filler cap that’s on the top of the unit might crack and allow steam to escape, which poses a burn hazard. Also, the cap might pop off unexpectedly when pressure builds, which poses an impact hazard.

Nov. 30, 2016—Gree reannounced a recall of its dehumidifiers that were sold under various brand names, because they can overheat, smoke and catch fire, which poses burn and fire hazards. This recall previously was issued Sept. 12, 2013, and expanded May 15, 2014.

Nov. 29, 2016—Cruiser RV recalled 2015–2016 Stryker toy haulers that were manufactured from June 12, 2014, through Aug. 27, 2015, and that have black aluminum ladders that were manufactured by Christianson Industries.

Nov. 28, 2016—Newmar recalled 2016–2017 Dutch Star and Ventana motor homes that have a Cummins ISL engine, were built on a Freightliner chassis and were manufactured from Jan. 22, 2016, through Nov. 7, 2016.

Nov. 21, 2016—Sabra Dipping recalled certain hummus products that were made before Nov. 8, 2016, because the products might be contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in people who have a weakened immune system.

Nov. 21, 2016—Heinz recalled about 500 cases of its Heinz HomeStyle Bistro Au Jus Gravy, because some jars might be mislabeled as Heinz Pork gravy and therefore aren’t labeled as containing milk and soy. People who have an allergy or sensitivity to milk or soy might have a serious or a life-threatening reaction when they consume the product.